Wash. Drink. Stay home. These tips and more will help keep colds at bay

Nov. 22, 2011

Written by

Pam J. Hecht, WNC Parent contributor

They’re inevitable, particularly for the youngest among us, and can strike as often as once or twice a month, says Dr. Christine Morgan, Asheville pediatrician.

During the winter, kids (and grown-ups) tend to spend more time indoors, in close proximity to others, which helps spread cold-causing germs.

And while there’s no cure, there are ways to keep colds at bay, cutting down on both their frequency and intensity.

Wash, wash, wash

Keeping hands clean may be the single-most important thing that can prevent a cold, medical professionals agree.

Vigorously rubbing with warm, soapy water for a good 20–30 seconds is best, says Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, medical director at Buncombe County Department of Health. Be sure to scrub all over, rinse well and use a paper towel to turn off the faucet, she says.

When touched by dirty hands, “the eyes and nose are the most common doorways to colds,” and although germs may not survive as easily in the mouth, they can be transmitted by touching there, too, says Becky Mojica, a public health nurse at Buncombe County Public Schools.

Encourage kids to wash their hands frequently, particularly before eating or playing with other kids, Morgan says. Hand sanitizer may be easier sometimes, but overuse can cause chapped skin, Mojica adds.

Also, to keep germs off of hands, teach kids to keep germs to themselves by sneezing or coughing into their armpits or the crook of their elbows, says Mojica.

Stay hydrated

For some reason, germs don’t grow as well in a body that’s well-hydrated, says Mojica. Liquids also can help “flush things out,” she adds.

For kids who already have a cold, give them little sips throughout the day to avoid vomiting or diarrhea — one sip every 10 minutes for most kids is enough — and make sure they are urinating at least a couple times daily, says Morgan.

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Keep sick kids at home

It can be hard on a working parent to keep kids at home and many send them to school if they’re not super sick, says Morgan, who has a 13-year-old son.

If kids have fever at around 100 or more, they need to stay home, says Mojica. “Colds are contagious, and they can’t get the rest they need to recover if they’re in school,” she says.

Keep kids at home if they’ve had a fever within the past 24 hours, if they’re coughing or sneezing a lot, or if their noses or eyes are dripping, says Mullendore, adding that a fever is the body’s way to raise temperature in order to kill viruses.

Also, watch for signs like a worsening cough, fever, refusal to drink, rash, changed appearance, fast breathing, or a decrease in activity level, says Morgan, adding that as a first step, “it’s never wrong to call your doctor.”

Meanwhile, if your child’s cold symptoms are worsening or if he/she still has symptoms after six or seven days, it may also be time to visit the doctor, particularly to rule out bacterial infections, says Mullendore. If your child’s fever is 104 or more, it’s definitely time to visit a doctor, she adds.

Young children who attended day care and/or preschool can get one or more colds a month but may get sick less often than others when they’re older because they’ve built up some immunity, says Morgan.

Colds are caused by germs, not the cold weather, doctors agree. So although it’s important to dress warmly in the winter to prevent cold-weather-induced injuries like frostbite, it’s a myth that this prevents colds, says Morgan. Some parents also have the misconception that getting the flu shot gives kids the flu, she says, but if they happen to get sick after getting the flu shot, it’s likely a coincidental cold or other virus.

Also, if there’s someone in the house who smokes, avoid contact with them while they’re smoking — the inhalation of secondhand smoke can affect the ability of the respiratory system to work properly to protect against viruses, says Mullendore.

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Eat and sleep well

Getting adequate rest is important to bolster the immune system and to shorten the duration of an existing cold, says Mojica. Most kids need eight to 10 hours of sleep, she adds.

A healthy diet — including vitamins A and C — may also help keep colds away, says Mojica. Kids with a well-rounded diet may not need vitamins but for picky eaters, consider vitamins but “abide by the label and don’t overdo it,” she adds. Also, teach good eating habits from the beginning and pay attention to what they’re eating at school.

“Kids often regularly choose pizza over the regular tray at school and avoid the fresh fruit,” Mojica says.

Meanwhile, there aren’t any studies that show vitamins, herbal supplements, humidifiers or cold medications help prevent or cure colds, says Mullendore. Instead, “they treat the symptoms.”

As with herbal remedies, don’t discount the value of a good bowl of chicken soup, adds Morgan. We don’t know for certain if it contains medicinal properties, she says, but “it can help soothe the throat, clear the head and make us feel better when we’re sick.”